WASHINGTON — Surrounded by men and women who made their careers killing health-care reform in the past, President Barack Obama on Thursday reiterated his pledge to enact comprehensive legislation this year, an ambitious undertaking many say is further complicated by the nation’s dismal economic condition.
“When times were good, we didn’t get it done. When we had mild recessions, we didn’t get it done,” Obama said at a White House summit launching his effort to treat the nation’s ailing health system. “There’s always a reason not to do it. Now is exactly the time for us to deal with this problem.”
In the room was Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, who proudly reminded the crowd of 150 that he was instrumental in killing “Hillarycare” in 1993. Thursday, he announced that he supported the eight principles outlined by Obama.
Also at the summit was Chip Kahn, who 15 years ago helped plan the iconic “Harry and Louise” ads attacking the overhaul proposed by President Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary.
Words of support came from lobbyists for physicians, drugmakers and the corporate sector.
“We know where everyone stood. But they don’t stand there anymore,” said Thomas Donahue, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
The United States spends more per capita on health care than any other industrialized nation. Yet by numerous measures, Americans are in poorer health. Surging bills are often the cause of personal bankruptcy and threaten global competitiveness for many companies, Obama said.
“And even for folks who are weathering this economic storm . . . all it takes is one stroke of bad luck — an accident or illness; a divorce or lost job — to become one of the nearly 46 million uninsured,” he said.
In his budget proposal, Obama would create a 10-year, $634 billion reserve fund intended to help pay for health-coverage expansion.
Thursday, he stressed he is not wedded to the details. “I just want to figure out what works,” he said.
